Motorists across England are facing a sharp increase in fuel costs, with diesel drivers being hit particularly hard. New figures reveal a significant monthly price hike for those relying on diesel vehicles.
The Rising Cost of a Tank
According to the latest data from the RAC, the average cost of filling a typical family petrol car has now reached £75.44. This marks an increase of £1.19 since late October. Drivers who fill up at supermarket forecourts are paying slightly less, at an average of £73.69 for a full petrol tank.
The situation is more severe for diesel users. The RAC reports that a complete diesel refill now costs £80.61 on average, which is £2.11 more than at the start of the month. At supermarkets, the average diesel tank fill is £78.69. This means diesel drivers are paying around £5 more per tank compared to their petrol counterparts.
The Monthly Impact and Regional Differences
For a driver filling up their diesel vehicle twice a week, these increased pump prices translate to an additional £40 in expenditure every month. This surge comes at a challenging time, coinciding with the festive period when many people undertake long journeys to visit family and friends.
The RAC has also highlighted a persistent regional disparity. Ahead of Christmas, it was revealed that drivers in Northern Ireland continue to pay substantially less for fuel. There, a litre of unleaded averages just 129.6p, while diesel sits at 137.7p per litre.
How Drivers Can Fight Back
Simon Williams, the RAC's head of policy, expressed disappointment at the pre-festive price rises. "It's a costly Christmas on the roads," he said, noting it's one of the most expensive times of year for travel.
However, he offered a practical solution for cost-conscious motorists. "Filling up in the right place could save drivers a lot of money," Williams advised. He strongly recommended using technology to find the best deals. "The best way to locate the cheapest possible petrol or diesel is to download the myRAC app and use the fuel finder feature."
The free myRAC app, available on the App Store and Google Play, allows all drivers—not just RAC members—to search for the cheapest fuel within a two, five, or ten-mile radius. Users can perform up to five searches per day.
Williams emphasised that every penny saved counts. "Each 1p less per litre saves around 55p a tank for an average family-size car," he explained. For more detailed analysis and historical price graphs dating back to 2000, drivers can visit the online RAC Fuel Watch resource, which tracks prices at major supermarkets and motorway services.
